"I tried to block it out while I played, and keep my focus. But playing was good; had I just been sitting around, I would have been miserable,'' Riley said.

Gordon, 19, was killed during a scuffle that involved a crowd estimated at about 200 outside a bowling alley in Ocala, Riley's hometown. According to Florida media reports, a 17-year-old suspect has been arrested.

Riley received the news Tuesday night. UMass guard Javorn Farrell, his roommate, was also present.

Described by teammates as a friendly but private person, Riley did not share the news with the rest of the team. Even coach Derek Kellogg did not learn of the situation until after a game that Riley said he was determined to play.

"Freddie is not one to share things in his personal life. He was quiet, even when we were recruiting him, though he has opened up more and more,'' Kellogg said.

"He doesn't pour out his heart to everybody. I'm fortunate to be one of those he does,'' Farrell said.

"I knew he'd have a big game. I had a dream he would, and that we'd win by 20.

"Sometimes, people can't handle adversity well, but after a tragedy, sometimes a player can have his best game.''

Riley, 21, opened up after the game, sharing his feelings with media. It was a discussion he could have easily avoided, since details of the episode were still not widely known, even among team members.

On Thursday, Riley indicated that talking about the tragedy had a theraputic effect.

"It's not hard to talk about it. I think getting it out is a good thing,'' he said.

Riley scored 15 points in the first half Wednesday. Farrell said teammates noticed a heightened focus and determination in the 6-foot-5 guard, who had his highest output since scoring 28 in the season opener against Rider.

Teammates praised Riley's work ethic on the court. He is also considered a diligent student.

He is fifth on the team in minutes, averaging 21.8 per game, but second in scoring with 9.5 points per game, That number figures to rise if he can raise his 30.1-percent level from 3-point range.